British Import Haversacks

[cgoser]

Someone was telling me the other day about a pattern 1854 British Import Haversack. Does anyone have a picture or example of said haversacks?

Clay Goser

[wade03]

Re: British Import Haversacks

Clay,

Not sure if this is the "1854" haversack but its the type of painted linen haversacks that the northern states bought from England.

http://historical.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=6015&Lot_No=57461

[cgoser]

Re: British Import Haversacks

Thanks Wade. This seems to fit the discription given me....longer body with rounded bottom and a shorter closure flap. The one they were describing was unpainted linen with a button closure, but the body gives me a better visual.

Thanks again.

Clay Goser

[GreencoatCross]

Re: British Import Haversacks

That's it. I was perplexed about that particular original haversack until I talked to Tim Sheads about it. He had several reproductions on sale and when I asked he provided the research and proof that they were the style used in Britain at the time.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: British Import Haversacks

I keep going back to the auction link and look at the excellent large size pictures of this haversack. To me, it looks like there is button hole on the closure flap - just under where the strap is pulling away.

Doing a search of the auction site, I found another similar haversack: http://historical.ha.com/c/item.zx?s...No=57790#Photo

[DBURT]

Re: British Import Haversacks

During all my research into British imports to the South, I have never come across one invoice mentioning haversacks. It's not to say some weren't imported, but it seems Huse thought that the one thing the Confederates could provide in numbers was the humble cotton haversack. And so he never ordered any off S. Isaac Campbell & Co or Ross & Co as far as I know.

Dave Burt

[Marc29thGA]

Re: British Import Haversacks

In "Entrepot" - check out page 86. It talks about the schooner Revere being boarded by the US Navy and finding haversacks listed as harnesses on the manifest. When she was dockisde in NY, they found around 39 boxes of knapsacks and haversacks.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: British Import Haversacks

English haversacks are also listed Entrepot, as being imported into Charleston (in limited amounts).

All the best,

[highpvt]

Re: British Import Haversacks

Gents,

I've got zero idea if this dude is putting out a quality product, but he is putting what he purports to be two styles of British haversacks (M1850 and M1860/65).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/British-Army-1850-Pattern-Haversack-Reproduction-/200709656031?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebb3a4ddf

http://www.ebay.com/itm/British-Army-1860-1865-Pattern-Haversack-Reproduction-/200709658332?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebb3a56dc

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: British Import Haversacks

Sirs:

Attached are two photographs of drawings of the following British Haversacks:

Haversack, General Service, c. 1854 - Tan Haversack

Haversack, General Service, c. 1867 - White Haversack

Drawings are from the book: Soldiers' Accoutrements of the British Army 1750-1900

Not sure if these would have been the exact patterns that would have been imported, but these would have been the patterns possibly available.

All the best,

Andrew

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: British Import Haversacks

Anyone know if the hardware from these style bags pop-up in dig sites?

Paul B.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: British Import Haversacks

Here's two originals formerly owned by John Henry Kurtz and sold at auction in 2008. You'll see from the sketches Andrew provided that these are the same style except painted.

http://historical.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=6015&lotNo=57790

http://historical.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=6015&lotNo=57461

[Marc29thGA]

Re: British Import Haversacks

Andrew - Thanks for posting those photos!

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: British Import Haversacks

Props to whatever vendor who starts to repop these!!

[DBURT]

Re: British Import Haversacks

The British haversack must have been quite rare. I have seen more invoices for the waterbottle (canteen) and again they are scarce. If you want anything British try the accoutrement set and the Blucher boot. All of those came in in their tens of thousands.

Dave Burt